Bayer Leverkusen are expected to respond to their shock opening-day defeat when they host Union Berlin in the German championship on Saturday, 5 September, with a 2-0 home win the predicted exact score.
Leverkusen go into the fixture as favourites despite beginning the campaign with a surprise 3-2 loss to Elversberg. That result leaves them 13th in the table after the opening round of matches, increasing the importance of securing three points in front of their own supporters.
Union Berlin also avoided defeat in their first match, drawing 3-3 with Eintracht Frankfurt. They are eighth in the standings and will travel to face Bayer Leverkusen with confidence after a high-scoring start to the season.
However, the overall head-to-head record strongly favours Leverkusen. The clubs have met 16 times, with Bayer Leverkusen winning nine of those matches, drawing five and losing only twice. That gives Leverkusen a 56.3% win rate in this fixture, while Union Berlin have won 12.5% of the meetings and the remaining 31.2% have ended level.
The most recent encounter went against Leverkusen, with Union Berlin securing a 1-0 victory. That result will provide the visitors with encouragement, although the wider record suggests that repeating it will be difficult.
The teams have been evenly matched at half-time in their meetings, with eight of the 16 games ending level after the opening 45 minutes. In the second halves of those 16 fixtures, Union Berlin have recorded two victories.
Both sides showed attacking threat in their opening matches, although Union Berlin conceded three goals against Eintracht Frankfurt, while Bayer Leverkusen scored twice in their defeat by Elversberg. Across the 16 previous meetings, Leverkusen have scored 29 goals against Union Berlin.
The prediction is based on several factors: Bayer Leverkusen have the stronger historical record, will play at home and are regarded as the superior side despite their poor start. Union Berlin are expected to compete strongly, but their chances of taking maximum points are considered limited.
The recommended exact-score forecast is Bayer Leverkusen 2-0 Union Berlin.